Teaching Surprises

 What has been a surprise for you in your teaching experience?


One surprise for me was the amount of prep time you usually have for high school band, but that prep time is filled with SO MUCH. During our prep time, the two band directors and I would be planning future rehearsals, planning a marching band competition, creating itineraries, and so much more. While I didn't get to do a whole lot of teaching in my high school placement, I still learned quite a bit from the weeks I was there.

I had a general idea of what I was getting into with my high school placement, but didn't have much of an idea what I would get into with my general music placement. In my high school placement, students were more responsible and followed directions well, but in my general music placement, students are still struggling with their behavior skills.

Another thing that surprised me was some of the non-teaching duties that elementary/middle school teachers have to take on. For example, because my CT is at two different schools, she has to take on duties at both VMS and Longfellow. In the mornings, my CT has crossing guard duty where she helps students cross the road. After school is out at Longfellow, my CT does bus duty.

While I'm not sure if I want to teach general music, it's still a great experience to see. It's interesting to see the behind the scenes tasks that teachers have to do and I'm excited to take part in this experience at my new placement.


Comments

  1. Jocelyn KendrickOctober 13, 2025 at 11:17 AM

    I have also been surprised with how much happens during prep time. I knew that there were quite a few that probably had to occur but each day I feel that time goes by so quickly compared to the rest of the day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MarleneOctober 14, 2025 at 6:36 AM

    I think the special teachers are expected to be part of many extra duties because you know so many of the students but the administration forgets you also have to plan for many more students and different grade levels. On the other hand, the students love seeing you more often in many different roles and you become very important in their lives. After a few years, YOU make a big differences with them.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jerry ChadaOctober 15, 2025 at 12:31 PM

    Non-teaching duties aren't the most fun while student teaching but I'm going to second with Marlene here. From my own experience of duties at my last placement they are a great tool to build relationships.

    ReplyDelete

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